Dustin Poirier has shared his list of the top five fighters whose bouts he most anticipates watching. His list includes Conor McGregor at number one, followed by Ilia Topuria, Alex Pereira, Justin Gaethje, and Paddy Pimblett. The rankings reflect Poirier's interest in high-profile competitors across multiple weight classes, including former opponents and current champions. McGregor topping the list is notable given their storied rivalry. The post was sourced from UFC on Paramount content. No further context about why these specific fighters were chosen is provided in the post.
Dustin Poirier has gone public with the five fighters he most enjoys watching, and the list spans divisions, histories, and rivalries that span his entire career at the top of the sport.
Poirier, the 37-year-old American southpaw out of American Top Team, holds a 30-10-0 professional record and has long been one of the most active and entertaining fighters in the lightweight division. He lands 5.24 significant strikes per minute at 50 percent accuracy, and his submission attempts add a constant ground threat to his dangerous standup. He placed Conor McGregor at the top of his list, a choice that carries obvious weight given the pair's storied head-to-head rivalry. Gaethje and Pimblett — fellow lightweights — also made the cut, alongside champions from other weight classes.
Ilia Topuria, ranked second in the lightweight division and sitting at the top of the pound-for-pound rankings at just 29 years old, earned the number-two spot. The Spanish fighter holds a 17-1-0 record, lands close to five significant strikes per minute, and averages nearly two takedowns per 15 minutes, making him one of the most complete fighters in the sport today.
Paddy Pimblett, the 31-year-old Liverpudlian ranked sixth at lightweight with a 23-4-0 record, rounds out the list at number five. "The Baddy" leads the group in striking output at 5.49 significant strikes per minute and carries a legitimate submission threat with 1.2 attempts per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- McGregor topping the list underlines the enduring draw of that rivalry, even years on
- Two active lightweight contenders in Topuria and Pimblett highlight how stacked the 155-pound division remains
- Pereira and Gaethje, though not verified in the data here, represent cross-divisional and stylistic range in Poirier's viewing preferences
